Updated June 3, 2016

Just days after being recognized by the National Association of Two Year College Athletic Administrators, South Puget Sound Community College men’s basketball player Tyler Watts was honored with the Art Feiro Athlete Academic Leader of the Year Award from the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC). The Art Feiro Award names Watts the top sophomore male scholar athlete in the NWAC. Watts was recognized at the Annual NWAC Hall of Fame Banquet on June 2 at the Red Lion Hotel in Bellevue where he received a plaque and a $500 scholarship check for his outstanding achievement.

Watts (left) with Duncan Stevenson, Athletic Director at Pierce College and Chairman of NWAC Executive Board.

Orignal Post from May 25, 2016

South Puget Sound Community College men’s basketball player Tyler Watts just can’t seem to stop collecting honors. After earning a spot on the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) All-West Region Defensive Team, and Clipper Defensive Player of the Year honors at the team banquet last month, Watts again found himself in the spot light. Watts was recently named an honorable mention honoree for the Scholar Athlete of the Year award from National Association of Two Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA).

Athletes from more than 650 colleges are eligible for the award as long as they maintain a minimum 3.6 GPA in a minimum of 45 credit hours, display qualities of leadership and good citizenship, demonstrate outstanding athletic success, and complete at least one varsity season. SPSCC Athletic Director Nick Schmidt said he believes it is the first time a Clipper athlete has won a national honor.

“Tyler is one of the toughest guys I’ve coached,” SPSCC men’s hoops coach Aaron Landon said. “We’ve spent two years together and most of our success has been a result of his leadership and commitment to winning. He was one of the best defenders in the entire NWAC and hands down the best defender we had this year.”

Watts in NWAC action.

Watts finished tied for fourth in the NWAC with a team-leading two steals-per-game average. Watts also finished fifth on the team in scoring (8.7 points-per-game), second in assists (2.7 per game), first in rebounding (6.8 per game), and first in blocks at one every other game.

Watts said there’s much he’ll remember about the season.

“This year meant a lot to me after going through a tough freshman year,” he said. “From all the big-time moments, like Dustin Meade hitting the game winning three to beat Green River, to the little things, like road trips in the vans, I will cherish all the moments we had.”